Promotes the passage of legislation for meaningful healthcare system reform, to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending.

Working with Congressman Danny K. Davis and others to promote the passage of legislation for healthcare system reform.

Promotes Affordable and Accessible Quality Health Care for All:   Advocates for using the Adequate Health Care Task Force Report of November 29, 2006 as a starting point to provide health insurance for every family member in Illinois.

Agrees with the 2004 Health Care Justice Act, which states it is the policy goal of the State of Illinois to insure that all residents have access to quality health care at costs that are affordable. 
 

"Of all the forms of inequalities, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."   Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Community Health Fairs

1. Sponsored Health Fair events at Concerned Organization Who Cares Gospel Fest and Health Fair, Amundsen Park, August 25, 2007

2. Promoting Healthy Eating as part of Black History Month at Leamington Foods, February 1, 2008

3. Sponsored African Heritage Month Health Fair, St. Martin de Porres Church, February 16, 2008

Expanding Screening for HIV

1. Sponsored legislation that became Public Act 92-0007, making HIV screening a routing part of medical care.  This law simplifies the process for getting tested for HIV in Illinois and makes it less intrusive.  Expanded testing for HIV aims to identify the 25% of persons who have HIV but do no know they are infected

2. Attended the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, August 4-8, 2008; met with International staff regarding HIV screening issues

Promotes Improved Confidentiality for those with HIV

1. Promotes removing the requirement for Department of Public Health to notify principals of the identity of students who are infected with HIV - Chief Sponsor of HB90

Promotes Improved Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections

1. Promotes Expedited Partner Therapy for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, co-sponsor of SB2150

Childhood Obesity Prevention

1. Organized State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford's 1st Annual Health Challenge honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., January 21, 2008, Michele Clark Magnet High School, with 400 students participating

2. Organized State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford's 2nd Annual Health Challenge honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., January 19, 2009, Morton East High School, with 250 students participating

3. Organized State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford's 3rd Annual Health Challenge honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, January 18, 2010, at Oak Park and River Forest High School and JLM Abundant Life Community Center, Chicago, with more than 300 students participating

4. Works with Community Action Team for Healthier Kids (CATH-K), a coalition of 20 organizations working to decrease childhood obesity through school and community interventions in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park

5. Chief House Sponsor for Bill SB2858 to eliminate trans fat in public school cafeterias

6. Member of the Chicago Consortium to Prevent Childhood Obesity External Advisory Board

7. Introduced HB 4756, the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program Act, which promotes the idea of making it possible for users of LINK, Illinois' Food Stamp Program, to use their benefits at farmers' markets

Promoting Blood Donation

1. Sponsored Blood Drives- St. Martin de Porres, March 2. 2008; Proksa Park, Berwyn, June 14, 2008; St. Martin de Porres, February 15, 2009; Barrie Park, Oak Park, June 13, 2009

Provided Information about Medicare Part D to community members

1. CLTV broadcast

2. Mailer to all constituent homes

Promotes Improved Care and Housing for Persons with Mental Illness

Advocates for improved discharge procedures at the Illinois Department of  Corrections so persons have adequate medications and follow-up care

Improving Health Photo Gallery